Chinese phrases for travel in China
Useful phrases for airport, hotel, transport, restaurants, and emergencies in China.
Overview
You can travel in China without Mandarin in big cities, but a few well-practiced phrases change the trip: more help, less stress, clearer prices.
Transport and directions
地铁站在哪儿？ (dìtiězhàn zài nǎr?), 去机场 (qù jīchǎng), and 太贵了 (tài guì le) cover metro, taxi, and basic bargaining.
Learn numbers and directions before you leave — you will repeat them most.
Hotel and restaurant
我有预订 (wǒ yǒu yùdìng), 要发票 (yào fāpiào), and 不要辣 (bú yào là) handle check-in, receipts, and food preferences.
Pointing at the menu works, but ordering with confidence speeds everything up.
Emergencies
我迷路了 (wǒ mílù le), 请叫医生 (qǐng jiào yīshēng), and 报警 (bàojǐng) are essential even if you hope never to use them.
Save these phrases offline and practice with audio before you go.
Put it into practice
Prepare your trip with themed vocabulary, listening, and OCR in Chinese Trainer.